December 2007 Archives

Hi all,

The weird of the week has to be two swimming days. Basically, insane people go to the beach and dip in, risking hypothermia. Go watch and take photos.

In Boston, the L Street Brownies New Year's Day Swim is Jan 1, 9am at the Curley Community Center, William Day Blvd. in Boston. http://lstreetcurley.com/lst.html

In Rhode Island, the Polar Bear Club will take a dip at Easton's Beach, Memorial Blvd, Newport, Rhode Island. 401-781-9199. Insane people dip into the water. They also have a branch in New Hampshire. http://users.ids.net/~cwwright/

Also weird, Elvis lives! Steve Connolly is a performer I've seen before, and it's fantastic to get a glimpse of how "The King" would affect audiences. He's performing twice this week. First, Elvis Presley's Birthday Bash, Jan 3 at the Hard Rock Café, 22 Clinton St. Boston, MA. And then, if you can afford tickets, the "Spirit of the King", Jan 5 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston, MA. http://www.maj.org

This one's for nuts only. That means us. Every year at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, they do a 25 hour reading, cover to cover, of the whaling classic, Moby Dick. This year it's Jan 3. New Bedford, MA. http://www.whalingmuseum.org

Do you like Monty Python? You simply must go see SPAMALOT, which I saw two years ago and it was fantastic. SPAMALOT is the Tony award winning musical featuring plenty of new material, not just a rehash of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Jan 15-27 at the Wang Center, http://www.citicenter.org/shows-wang.html#389

Can't afford it? How about going to see the Python-athon Movie Marathon at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA. It's Jan 5. http://www.brattlefilm.org

I walk around looking for hobbyists and the strange things they do with legos, model airplanes, and parachutes. I've only ever found just a few railroad shows. Perhaps the largest is the Annual Railroad Hobby Show at the Wenham Museum. It's a good excuse to visit the Wenham, which I've seen, and it's one of those tiny New England museums in the middle of nowhere that's actually fantastic! They have a 17th century house and tons of dolls from all of history. Jan 5. http://www.wenhammuseum.org

I just learned that Harvard's Fogg Art Museum has regular "Drop In and Draw Sundays". The idea is for you to get some practice drawing and apparently you don't need to sign up. This month, for example it is Sunday Jan 6, 13, and Saturday Jan 26. 1-3pm. Fogg Art Museum, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-495-9400. http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu

If you are a car fantatic, check out the World of Wheels convention, which is Jan 4-6 at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston, MA. They'll have 350 custom vehicles created or restored by local enthusiasts, from hot rods to antiques, including NASCAR celebs, dancers, etc. http://www.baysideexpo.com

Or, if you can't afford tickes, try the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, otherwise known as the Museum of Transporation. And you can go ice skating on the rink next door. 15 Newton Street, Brookline, MA. (617) 522-6547. http://www.mot.org

This is the last chance to view some holiday lights:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleoflights

-- Millis, MA. The Millis Wonderland, at 60 Causeway Street. Daily, 6-10pm, to Dec 31. http://www.milliswonderland.com/

-- Stoneham, MA. Holiday Landscapes, runs Nov 22-Dec 31, 5-10pm except when raining. 83 Franklin St. http://holidaylandscapes.com

Ice skating:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- For other ice skating locations in Boston Metro and beyond, see http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Here are a few theatre events coming up which you may want to buy advance tickets for:

-- RENT, Jan 8-13, Wang Theater, Boston, MA. http://www.citicenter.org

-- Chinese New Year Spectacular, Jan 10-12, Opera House, Boston, MA. They are just advertising the Chinese Hell out of this.

-- Professional Bull Riders, which is basically a rodeo, Jan 11-13, Worcester, DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA. 617-931-2000. http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/821993

-- For the first time ever, the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China are coming to Boston. They are, well, acrobats. Jan 13. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA. 617-482-2595. Tickets are pricey, $37-58. 3pm.

Continuing events:

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- Defending the Caveman, to Jan 5, http://www.stuartstreetplayhouse.com/showcaveman.html

-- Mayor's Holiday Special, to Jan 1, http://www.artsboston.org/mhs/

-- 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, to Dec 31, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org

-- The CSI exhibit at the Museum of Science, to Jan 1, http://mos.org

Finally, what's going on New Years Eve? Here are some ideas:

-- First Night Boston features a parade at 5:30pm down Boylston Street, Boston. Then fireworks at 7pm over Boston Common and at 12am over Boston Harbor. I've been several times and it's corny but good if you're willing to wander around, try things, leave and wander again. Buy one ticket for dozens of dance, music, participatory events. http://www.firstnight.org

-- Quincy FamilyFest, Parade, fireworks, party. http://www.ci.quincy.ma.us/filesDownload/BinderNewYears.pdf

-- Beverly's New Year 2007. Cabot Street, Beverly, MA. Parade, party, and "briefcase toss". What's weird is the celebrations end at 8pm. Dec 31, 3-8pm. http://www.beverlymainstreets.org/welcome.html

-- Bright Night Providence, RI. Fireworks (twice!). http://www.brightnight.org

-- Nashoba Ski Area New Year's Eve Celebration. 978-692-3033. Skiing, riding, tubing until 11:30pm and then a parade and fireworks! http://www.skinashoba.com

-- First Night Worcester. Worcester, MA. http://www.firstnightworcester.org

-- New Years Rockport Eve. Rockport, MA. http://www.newyearsrockporteve.com
-- New Years' Eve Contra Dances. http://www.facone.org/fdrb/home/cal-week.html

-- Spirit of Boston New Year's Cruise, leaves from Commonwealth Pier. Boston, MA. 617-748-1450. Call for reservations. See the fireworks from a ship.

-- The Resolution Ball at the Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA. 781-444-7771. This is a young professional event, i.e. a singles thing, black tie optional, Boston's longest-running New Years' Eve gala, dinner included, cocktails, dancing. 2007: 7:30pm to 2am. 21+. http://www.bostoneventguide.com/events/nye.htm

-- Roaring 20s New Years Eve at Beechwood Mansion, which is one of the mansions in Newport, RI. Astors' Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. http://www.astorsbeechwood.com

-- First Night Newport, RI. http://www.firstnightnewport.org

-- First Night Fall River, MA. 5:30pm to Midnight at the Waterfront. http://www.fallriverma.org/vieweventcalday.asp?viewdate=31-December-2007&ID=1338

-- First Night New Bedford, http://www.firstnightnb.org/

-- First Night Chatham, MA. http://www.firstnightchatham.com

Have fun and see you in 2008.

-Johnny

Hi everyone,

Here's the holiday week in weird.

Today! Holiday caroling in Salem at the Hawthorne Hotel. 12/24, 4-7pm. The sing is free, and followed by a Xmas eve dinner. http://www.hawthornehotel.com/calendar/december.shtml

Also today! holiday caroling on High Street Hill in Brookline on "Upland Road Green", whatever that is. Brookline, MA. Dec 24 at 5:45pm. Bring a flashlight. http://www.highstreethill.org/newslette rs/highlight0712.html#caroling

I've also heard there's holiday caroling in Louisburg Square on Beacon Hill, Google it. Today. Dec 24.

The weird event of the week has got to be the All-Star Night at Rocky Horror Picture Show. Dec 29 at midnight at the Theater on Church St. in Cambridge. They show this trippy (and awful) film from the 1970s and live actors have a pre-show and recreate the film on stage during the performance. This is their big event of the year where their best alumni return. If you miss it, they do smaller shows every Saturday at midnight. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=2410591

Not Christian or even a Santa-time wannabe? The All-Night Israeli Dance Marathon at MIT is for you. It's fun, it's folk dancing, and it takes place at Walker Gym, 142 Mem Drive, MIT, Cambridge, MA. From Dec 24 @ 6pm until 4am. http://mit.edu/fdc

More dancing, as you may know there is a regular "Contra Dance" in Concord. It attracts intelligent, creative people and I recommend it. It's folk dancing and it's surprisingly fun. This week it's taking place in Arlington, a little more accessible to those of us in the Hub. Dec 27. Arlington Town Hall, 7:30pm to 11:00pm. http://www.neffa.org

Perhaps you'd prefer Indian culture. There are few Indian events in the area, so this is probably worth checking out. It's the Bollywood / Bhangra Year-End Party, Dec 28, at Aria Nightclub in Boston. http://www.bollywoodboston.com

I've read about a one-man show called "Defending the Caveman", it sounds worth checking out, it's Dec 26 - Jan 5, at the Stuart Street Playhouse, Boston, MA. 800-447-7400. They claim it's the longest running solo play in Broadway history. Comedy about battle of the sexes. http://www.stuartstreetplayhouse.com/showcaveman.html

Also The King and I, Dec 27-30, at the Turtle Lane Playhouse, 283 Melrose St. Newton, MA. 617-244-0169

I love hearing about Boston in the news, it happens so frequently that sometimes I don't even notice. Usually it's MIT or Harvard or blinking signs that frighten cops, but this time on national NPR I heard about the "Virtual Suck Tour of Arlington". It turns out at least one person thinks Arlington, MA sucks and the Web site is hilarious. It's http://www.arlingtontour.com/place1.html

And now, the Holiday Lights overview:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Stoneham, MA. Stone Zoo's Zoolights, Nov 22 - Dec 30. 49 Pond Street. 617-989-2000. Convenient to Boston, but the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the park is not spectacularly lit. http://www.stonezoo.org

-- Campton, NH. White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park, Nov 22 - Dec 30, Branch Brook Campground. 603-726-7001. Exit 28 off I-93. Fri-Sun, 4:30- 8:30pm. http://www.holidaymagiclightpark.com

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleoflights

-- Millis, MA. The Millis Wonderland, at 60 Causeway Street. Daily, 6-10pm, to Dec 31. http://www.milliswonderland.com/

-- Stoneham, MA. Holiday Landscapes, runs Nov 22-Dec 31, 5-10pm except when raining. 83 Franklin St. http://holidaylandscapes.com

Ice skating:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- For other ice skating locations in Boston Metro and beyond, see http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Continuing events:

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- Mayor's Holiday Special, to Jan 1, http://www.artsboston.org/mhs/

-- The Nutcracker, to Dec 29, http://www.bostonballet.org

-- Silent Night of the Lambs, to Dec 29. http://www.golddustorphans.com

-- Revels Concert, with participatory sing, to Dec 30, http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~memhall/sanders.html

-- 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, to Dec 31, http://www.huntingtontheatre.org

-- The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, to Dec 30, http://www.reindeerinboston.com

-- ImprovBoston Holiday Spectacular, to Dec 29, http://www.improvboston.com

-- The CSI exhibit at the Museum of Science, to Jan 1, http://mos.org

Finally, what's going on New Years Eve? Here are some ideas:

-- The big daddy is First Night Boston. Boston, MA. I've been several times and it's corny but good if you're willing to wander around, try things, leave and wander again. Buy one ticket for dozens of dance, music, participatory events. http://www.firstnight.org

-- A big part of First Night in Boston is the First Night Grand Procession. From Hynes Convention Center to Boston Common. Boston, MA. 7pm. Free. http://www.firstnight.org

-- First Night Quincy, Parade, fireworks, party. http://www.ci.quincy.ma.us/filesDownload/BinderNewYears.pdf

-- Beverly's New Year 2007. Cabot Street, Beverly, MA. Parade, party, and "briefcase toss". What's weird is the celebrations end at 8pm. Dec 31, 3-8pm. http://www.beverlymainstreets.org/welcome.html

-- Bright Night Providence, RI. Fireworks (twice!). http://www.brightnight.org

-- Nashoba Ski Area New Year's Eve Celebration. 978-692-3033. Skiing, riding, tubing until 11:30pm and then a parade and fireworks! http://www.skinashoba.com

-- First Night Worcester. Worcester, MA. http://www.firstnightworcester.org

-- New Years Rockport Eve. Rockport, MA. http://www.newyearsrockporteve.com
-- New Years' Eve Contra Dances. http://www.facone.org/fdrb/home/cal-week.html

I don't typically list very commercial events. And if you open any newspaper you'll find a ton of bars holding presumably lame New Years Eve events. Here are three that really caught my attention from maybe 100 that I've seen:

-- Spirit of Boston New Year's Cruise, leaves from Commonwealth Pier. Boston, MA. 617-748-1450. Call for reservations. See the fireworks from a ship.

-- The Resolution Ball at the Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA. 781-444-7771. This is a young professional event, i.e. a singles thing, black tie optional, Boston's longest-running New Years' Eve gala, dinner included, cocktails, dancing. 2007: 7:30pm to 2am. 21+. http://www.bostoneventguide.com/events/nye.htm

-- And my favorite, the Roaring 20s New Years Eve at Beechwood Mansion, which is one of the mansions in Newport, RI. Astors' Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. http://www.astorsbeechwood.com

-- I have heard that there are also "First Nights" in Groton, Fall River, New Bedford, and Chatham, MA.

I'm a little busy right now but I will try to update this next Sunday just in time for your New Years Eve.

-Johnny

Next time someone whines about the weather, read this New England Manifesto and be proud!!

JOHNNY'S NEW ENGLAND MANIFESTO

Size. Boston is not tiny. We are actually the 5th largest metro region in the US. Silicon Valley? Only #6. New England by population is about 5% of the US and we have more than 10% of the states! What other city in the US is the "Boss" town? Boston! It's right there in the name, people! You can't argue with that. See http://wapedia.mobi/en/CombinedStatisticalArea

Sports. Professional sports teams draw players from all over the US, sometimes the world. Who plays "for Boston" no longer has anything to do with the quality of people who live near Boston. Different teams, as in baseball, are basically business franchises and the ones who earn more, pay more and win more. I think we need to stop this Yankees Suck nonsense, it makes us look delusional, crass, and homophobic. Let's just agree that sports teams no longer say much if anything about region vs. region.

Transit. Who lives in California? Tons of soft, soft people. Here in New England with our bitter winters we are tough! Tough like Vikings! Californians tend to brag a lot, and whine a lot too. We Yankees are stoics. We're better, we just don't squawk about it like spoiled Garden of Eden children. I can't believe how people complain about driving conditions. Have you ever heard of suburban sprawl? We don't have nearly as much as our Western comrades, and our public transport kicks ass. We have one of the few underground subways in the US.

History. We have tons of history here. Have you ever heard of the San Francisco Tea Party? I don't think so. George Washington never slept in LA. We own Thanksgiving (Plymouth), and Halloween (Salem), and since Massachusetts is the most Irish state, we own St. Patricks Day. Also our friends in New York City own New Years Eve. You know what people in LA do for New Year's? They watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV. Holidays owned by California? None. We also own April Fools Day. Just kidding. :)

Weather. We don't have earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or tornados. Our "extreme weather" is getting a little snow. Global warming may even work in our favor. Stop whining, people! We don't have snakes or dangerous pests, smog, or droughts. There's never a problem with not having water. Boston rainfall: 41.5 inches. San Francisco? 19. LA? Just 12.

War. If Russia, North Korea, or China starts flinging missiles, who's closer, California or Massachusetts? Do you really think with New York sitting next door they're going to bomb Boston? It's like New York is this big bulls eye drawing all the attention away from us. Thanks, Big Brother!

Arts. Speaking of New York, I'm tired of people worrying that we don't have as much arts and culture. You know who has better arts than New York in the world? Nobody. So get over it, people. Being next to big brother is closing our eyes to the fact that Boston has way more museums, theatre, and festivals than Washington DC, Houston, Silicon Valley, or basically anywhere else that's not an empty tourist mecca like Orlando or Las Vegas. Oh, and good luck visiting a forest from downtown Manhattan, unless you want to spend all weekend driving.

Media. Fine, California owns movies. Hollywood is #1. Again this blinds us to the fact that Massachusetts is not exactly #50. Under a new program, Massachusetts now offers the 2nd biggest filmmaker tax break in the country, and 6 blockbusters are now being made here. Beyond movies, what about TV, books, magazines, and newspapers? It's all about New York City. East Coast, baby!! http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/hollywood_invasion/

Technology. We have a lot more high-tech than New York. In fact we're #2 after California, IN THE WORLD, and I'm pretty sure they rigged that by having more than 5 times our population. Yep, if you want to start a high-tech company, doing it here makes a whole lot of sense. Heck, Silicon Valley led the dot com bubble and burst, how proud of that can they be?

Liberals. California's bigger. Like that's an asset? It just means all the liberals are shoved in with the conservative death penalty people who elected Arnold Schwartzenegger. If you want to bury your head in the sand and pretend the rest of the world agrees with your kooky liberal views, Boston's a great place to settle down. Austin, Texas? I don't think so, Bible Belt!

Education. The world's capital for percent of population with advanced degrees? Cambridge. And acccording to US News and World Report, out of the top 7 universities and top 8 colleges, New England owns over half. After the Library of Congress, the three biggest libraries in the US? All in New England.

Because They Say So. The Economist, May 5 2007, produced their "Global Livability Rankings" for all world cities, incorporating weather, crime, housing, transporation, access to healthcare and jobs, and so forth. Top US cities? Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Boston. Los Angeles is way down the list and gee I don't see New York or San Francisco anywhere! Too bad, suckers! Obviously no one in their right mind would live in Cleveland or Pittsburgh, so that means we win!

Because We Say So. Don't take crap from anyone about New England! We rule.

Feel free to pass this along. See my blog on quirky events in New England at http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com

-Johnny

Hey-o,

How to banish the snow? Hold a Carnaval! It's at the Boston Public Library in Jamaica Plain at 433 Centre St. Dec 17 at 6pm. Storytelling, music, dessets. http://www.bpl.org/news/upcomingevents.htm

This is the season for theater. "25 Questions for a Jewish Mother" is like the Vagina Monologues, except Jewish. Um, and no vaginas. Dec 18-31, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. 617-266-0800. http://www.huntingtontheatre.org

Another one that looked fun is "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues". Also no vaginas. Dec 20-30, 791 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. http://www.reindeerinboston.com

My favorite improv studio just happens to be the cheapest and closest. It's ImprovBoston in Inman Square, Cambridge. They're having a show called "ImprovBoston Holiday Spectacular: What the Dickens!?!", Dec 21 @ 8pm, Dec 22, 23, 29 @ 8pm & 10pm. http://www.improvboston.com

There's a percussion performance group and their instrument is the typewriter. For those of you who don't know the term, look it up on Wikipedia. It looks interesting and definitely weird! Boston Typewriter Orchestra, Dec 22, at Church, which is really a bar, 69 Kilmarnock Street, Boston, MA. http://www.bostontypewriterorchestra.com and http://www.myspace.com/churchboston

Have you wanted to catch the CSI exhibit at the Museum of Science? Well do it quickly, it closes Jan 1. I've seen it and if you don't mind blood and dead bodies, it's excellent. http://mos.org

Have you missed out on holiday caroling? Try just singing on the subway and see who cringes and who joins in. Or:

-- Visit the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA. They're having caroling 12/23, 6-8pm, 12/24, 4-7pm. The sing is free, but 12/24 is followed by a Xmas eve dinner. http://www.hawthornehotel.com/calendar/december.shtml

-- Also on Dec 23, they'll have caroling at the Arlington Street Church, which is neither in Arlington nor on Arlington Street. Dec 23 at 11am. 351 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. http://ascboston.org

-- In Weston, MA, they'll also have caroling on Dec 19 at 7pm at the Public Library. http://www.eventkeeper.com/clients/westonpl/ekwestonpl.cfm

-- Also Wednesday Dec 19, a neighborhood carol sing at 5:30pm at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 35 Bowdoin St., Boston, MA. http://www.stjohnsbowdoinst.org/

-- The Holiday Party at Appleton Farms, Dec 21, in Ipswich, will include caroling, 3:30pm-5pm. http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/249appletonfarms.cfm

And now, the Holiday Lights overview:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Stoneham, MA. Stone Zoo's Zoolights, Nov 22 - Dec 30. 49 Pond Street. 617-989-2000. Convenient to Boston, but the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the park is not spectacularly lit. http://www.stonezoo.org

-- Campton, NH. White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park, Nov 22 - Dec 30, Branch Brook Campground. 603-726-7001. Exit 28 off I-93. Fri-Sun, 4:30- 8:30pm. http://www.holidaymagiclightpark.com

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleoflights

-- Millis, MA. The Millis Wonderland, at 60 Causeway Street. Daily, 6-10pm, to Dec 31. http://www.milliswonderland.com/

-- New Bedford, MA. Holiday Lights at Buttonwood Zoo. And many visits by Santa, see Web site. Dec 21-23, 6-9pm. http://www.bpzoo.org/

-- Stoneham, MA. Holiday Landscapes, runs Nov 22-Dec 31, 5-10pm except when raining. 83 Franklin St. http://holidaylandscapes.com

Ice skating:

-- Kendall Square, Cambridge. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- For other ice skating locations in Boston Metro and beyond, see http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Continuing events:

-- Victorian Christmas Feast at the Astors' Beechwood Mansion, Dec 21, 22 at 7pm, $125. Reservations required. http://www.astorsbeechwood.com

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- Mayor's Holiday Special, to Jan 1, http://www.artsboston.org/mhs/

-- Faneuil Hall bellringers on Saturdays to Dec 22. 12pm-3pm.

-- The Nutcracker, to Dec 29, http://www.bostonballet.org

-- Silent Night of the Lambs, to Dec 29. http://www.golddustorphans.com

-- Revels Concert, with participatory sing, to Dec 30, http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~memhall/sanders.html

Here's an insider tip. Be naughty this week. Santa's too busy to notice.

Next week: what to do on Xmas and New Years.

-Johnny

Hi everyone,

I'm running out the door but here are a few poorly formatted additions.

-Johnny

--------------------------------------

Stars and Meteors at the Holidays @ Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Dec 15. http://www.massaudubon.org. Go see a meteor shower and get very cold at night. Pre-registration required

Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long. This one's in Waltham. Dec 16. http://www.oasiscoffeehouse.org. The Oasis Coffeehouse & Gallery 34 Alder Street, Waltham, MA. 781-795-1041. 2pm. Free. Santa will visit. Bring a gift for a charity kid. May be somewhat religious.

Holiday Lights at Buttonwood Zoo, Dec 14-Dec 23, http://www.bpzoo.org. And many visits by Santa, see Web site. This is down in New Bedford I believe. Basically have breakfast or afternoon tea with Santa. And they I assume have night lights as well.

Petting Zoo in front of Seasons Four Furniture Store. I don't normally list events run by merchants right in front of their store. But this is on Mass Ave so it's likely to be in the Lexington downtown area, I am guessing. And they have a petting zoo, it's not like it's just Santa showing up! Dec 15-Dec 16. http://www.seasons-four.com/calendar.html. 1265 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA. 781-861-1200. Petting Zoo, Santa, elmo, face painting, singers, balloon animals, etc.

ArtWeek at Galleria Boston, you mostly missed it, it ends Dec 15. A week of cocktails, dance, music all based around getting you to show up and buy art. http://galleriaboston.com/galleria/

Hey-o,

If you enjoy the week in weird, please send a one-line email to Michael Brodeur at the Weekly Dig, mbrodeur@weeklydig.com, and suggest that he consider including my weird writeup (suitably professionalized) in their print edition. My goal is to get 10 readers, not just Ron and my Dad, to write. That will either intrigue Michael or piss him off. :)

The weird event of the week is the very last Winter Solstice Drum & Dance Saturday. My sources tell me that 50 people or more gather for participatory drum banging and other antics. It's very "Cambridge" in that its a bohemian event supporting truth, beauty, freedom, and love. 8pm on Dec 15, at the church at 11 Garden St, Cambridge, MA. 8pm. http://www.earthdrum.com/calendar.htm

Also weird! In Somerville they have a holiday tour where you ride a trolley for 45 minutes, and a guide tells you stories of the city and you get to see the most decorated houses. Adding up all the lights, it's probably competitive with the million lights of farms and amusement parks that are far, far, from the city. Big warning: tickets sell out so get them immediaetly. Dec 15. http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/illuminations

Weird plus historical, you've heard of the Boston Tea Party. Well, now get to see it and even join in. It takes place at the Old South Meeting House, Dec 16, Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA. First there's a debate and then it's mysterious but I believe they actually march down to the wharf. 617-482-6439. 5:30pm to 7pm. It's only $5, or free if you come in colonial garb! Their Web site only works in IE? http://www.osmh.org/osmh1234567891773L/Calendar/DispForm.aspx?ID=53&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eosmh%2Eorg%2Fosmh%5F123456789files%2Fcalender%2Easpx

What's better than Santa? Santa in a speedo! The Santa Speedo Run is Dec 15, and involves thousands of people wearing nothing but swim suit and red caps, will race to benefit the Women's Lunch Place. Which I assume is some kind of place that serves lunch to women. Personally I always eat at Men's Lunch Place. Register to run, or just show up and applaud. The race starts at 1pm and ends at 1:30pm at Lir, 903 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, where they'll have a big afterparty. http://santaspeedorun.com/

OK, just thinking about that made me cold. Very cold. Here's an indoorsy event. The Brattle Theatre in Cambridge will be showing the original Willy Wonka movie, with "Smellovision". They will actually be pumping scents into the theatre appropriate to each scene of the film. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St. Cambridge, MA. 7:30pm. http://www.brattlefilm.org

I went last year and this next was amazing! It's a theatre show called Silent Night of the Lambs, in which Christmas themes like Santa and Rudolph are incorporated into a retelling of the movie Silence of the Lambs, with plenty of ingenuity, men in drag, and a great ending that suits both the holiday of good cheer, and um, killers. Thu-Sat evenings through Dec 29. Theatre Machine, 1254 Bolyston St, Boston, MA. 866-811-4111. http://www.golddustorphans.com

Did you know that the Arnold Arboretum is open all winter long? They even shovel the walkways. It's a huge park with trees and other flora from all over the world, run by Harvard. They're having a storytelling and concert event called "Winter Solstice in Legend and Song", Dec 15 from 7-9pm and Dec 16, 4-6pm. Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston. http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu

Every 2nd Friday of the month, including this Friday December 14, there's a "Storytelling for Grownups" event at the Bestsellers Cafe, 24 High Street, Medford, MA 02155. It's hosted by Laura Packer, whom I've seen perform, and it's highly recommended. They have an open mic around 7pm and the main show at 8:30. http://www.bestsellers-cafe.com/events.asp#story

This one's bound to be good! First of all, kudos to the Inman Square merchants in Cambridge for naming their event "Shop Inman By Moonlight" instead of trying to disguise a merchant event as the Santa Parade or something. It's Dec 13, and they'll have hot cider, wandering carolers, fortune teller, free soaks in hot tub (bring bathing suit) at Urban Oasis, refreshments. I've been to one of these nights and it's actually quite fun. 7pm-midnight. http://www.inmansquare.com/business/shop-inman2007.shtml

Urban Oasis deserves a special mention, it is the only hot tub rental place I've found in all of metro Boston. (Unless you want to book an entire hotel room at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge or elsewhere.) You can just walk in without a reservation and jump in their community tub, which is often empty, or reserve a private room in advance for a romantic gift or a group event. http://www.urbanoasiscambridge.com

As I mentioned last week, Quincy Symphony Orchestra's Free Holiday Concert, Dec 11, 7:30pm. Quincy, MA. http://www.discoverquincy.com/calendar.htm

My favorite events newspaper, the Weekly Dig, has an annual holiday party, which is open to the public. That's Dec 12, starting at 8pm, at Church, which is not actually a church but rather a cannily named bar, at 69 Kilmarnock in Boston. http://weeklydig.com

Additional merchant "festivities" continue. For example, the Harvard Square Holiday Crafts Fair run to Dec 23. Church at corner of Church St & Mass Ave Cambridge, MA. Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat 10-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Events/Harvard-Square-Holiday-Crafts-Fair-2007.aspx

The best night to go would actually be Dec 14, when the Harvard Natural History Museum is holding "A Night at the Museum", which I've discovered will not involve skeleton dinosaurs chasing you around. Rather, it's a free admission night and they hope, really really hope, you will do all your holiday shopping in their gift shop. 5-8pm. http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu

The winter is a great time to visit museums. I always try to plan my museum visits around some special event. So here's an excuse to visit the National Heritage Museum in Lexington. It's Model Train Weekend, Dec 15-16, an annual display by the Northeast Ntrak Modular Railroad Club. I've been and it's a wonderful museum. Their Mason exhibit is a little strange, but the entire museum is free, so definitely worth it. Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5. 33 Marrett Road, Concord, MA. 781-861-6559. http://www.monh.org

Also while you're in the area, check out the museums in Concord. The Old Manse at http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/124eventssearchresults.cfm, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House at http://www.louisamayalcott.org, and the Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial House at http://www.rwe.org. Also the Whistler House Museum of Art at http://www.whistlerhouse.org. Whistler was the guy who had a mother. Finally the Concord Museum is quite worthwhile, with plenty of old-timey New England-y goodness, and they have community-decorated Christmas trees dotted throughout the place. http://www.concordmuseum.org

I love handbells. That's why I haven't ever been to a handbells concert. pout. Maybe this year. The Ring-in Christmas Concert is Dec 16 at 2pm at the Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. http://www.oldsouth.org/music/bellringers.htm and they have regular hobby club meets for bellringers all year 'round, see http://www.oldsouth.org/music/bellringers.htm and http://web.mit.edu/bellringers/www

Here's an event run by a museum with a Web site named after an accused (but acquitted!) murderer in Fall River. Ever heard of Lizzie Borden? Join her spirit and several warm-bodied colleagues at the Christmas in Old Fall River Festival. The Fall River Historical Society hosts this on Dec 16. It's not on their Web site at http://www.lizzieborden.org/calendarmain.asp, so you will have to call them (as I did to confirm this!) at (508) 679-1071.

"Help, Johnny, I want to sing Christmas Carols!" OK little Virginia, here are some events just for you. Now come sit on Santa's lap.

-- My favorite's probably the Carol Singing & Poetry at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. They have some classy people there, considering they work with the dead all day. 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA. 617-547-7105. 1:30pm. Free. http://www.mountauburn.org. They're also have a religious Candle Lighting Service on Dec 18.

-- I like the Revels people, because they have participatory sings. Their concerts, however are pricey -- but probably great. Dec 14-30, and Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, MA. 617-496-2222. Traditional dance, music, and you get to sing carols. http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~memhall/sanders.html

-- The craziest is probably caroling with the Loose Canon Chorale, on Dec 16. It's a large mob open to all. Gather at the Stony Brook subway stop at 4pm. RSVP appreciated. http://www.carolingmob.org/

-- I looked but couldn't find any others! Please advise! There have got to be tons.

And now, for the overview of Where To See Great Holiday Lights:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Stoneham, MA. Stone Zoo's Zoolights, Nov 22 - Dec 30. 49 Pond Street. 617-989-2000. Convenient to Boston, but the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the park is not spectacularly lit. http://www.stonezoo.org

-- Campton, NH. White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park, Nov 22 - Dec 30, Branch Brook Campground. 603-726-7001. Exit 28 off I-93. Fri-Sun, 4:30- 8:30pm. http://www.holidaymagiclightpark.com

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleoflights

-- Millis, MA. The Millis Wonderland, at 60 Causeway Street. Daily, 6-10pm, to Dec 31. http://www.milliswonderland.com/

-- Holiday Landscapes, runs Nov 22-Dec 31, 5-10pm except when raining. 83 Franklin St, Stoneham, MA. What's great is that these people also do it for Valentine's Day and every other holiday. http://holidaylandscapes.com

Ice skating:

-- Kendall Square opens for ice skating with free admission on Dec 15! And shows at 2pm and 5pm. http://www.kendallsquare.org/ice.html

-- Boston Common, Boston, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

-- Harvard Square, Cambridge, http://www.charleshotel.com/iceskating.htm

-- Brookline. They have a very nice skating rink. To March 4. http://www.townofbrooklinemass.com/recreation/LarzAnderson.html

-- For other ice skating locations in Boston Metro and beyond, see http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm

Continuing events:

-- Jane Austen Holiday Tea and Tour at Gore Place. Dec 14-15. http://www.goreplace.org/events/events.htm#holidaytea

-- Victorian Christmas Feast at the Astors' Beechwood Mansion, Dec 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7pm, $125. Reservations required. http://www.astorsbeechwood.com

-- The Mystery of Edwin Drood, to Dec 15, http://www.speakeasystage.com/

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- Mayor's Holiday Special, to Jan 1, http://www.artsboston.org/mhs/

-- Faneuil Hall bellringers on Saturdays to Dec 22. 12pm-3pm.

-- The Nutcracker, to Dec 29, http://www.bostonballet.org

Finally, you can still get my big "where to go skiing" report at http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls and click on the "Skiing" tab at the bottom.

That ought to hold you for a week.

-Johnny

Hi all,

This is your week in weirdness.

Here's the weird event of the week! The MIT Marching Band's is having a participatory event called the Annual Holiday Tour. Basically you attend one practice and bring any instrument. Even a kazoo might work. There's a rehearsal Tuesday Dec 4 at from 5:30-6:30pm in MIT W20-400 in Cambridge. That's the student center at 84 Massachusetts Avenue. Then Dec 8, meet in the Marching Band office (W20-423), also the student center, at 11 AM. March into Boston and back, returning around 4:30 PM.

Have you heard of Talk Like a Pirate Day? Well, you missed it. However! Annual Day of the Ninja is December 5. Come be a real ninja for a day at the Boston Martial Arts Center, with free classes and party music. RSVP by calling 617-789-5524, or emailing askthedojo@boston-ninpo.com. http://dayoftheninja.com/index2.html and http://askaninja.wiki-site.com/index.php/NorthAmerica07#East

Also weird, the Harvard Model United Nations is Dec 6-Dec 9. Basically, students get together and pretend to be representatives from different countries. Then they mud wrestle! Just kidding. They negotiate. Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA. 3,000 people come. http://www.hnmun.org

For those of you with a Victorian fetish, the Jane Austen Holiday Tea and Tour, at Gore Place. Dec 7, 8, 14, 15. This historic home and museum is transformed into a Victorian tea party. Buy tickets now, they may sell out! 2:30pm and 4pm. http://www.goreplace.org/events/events.htm#holidaytea

Also Victorian, there's a Victorian Christmas Feast, in Newport, Rhode Island, at the Astors' Beechwood Mansion. 580 Bellevue Avenue. Dec 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7pm, $125. Reservations required. http://www.astorsbeechwood.com

What's better than Christmas Caroling? Caroling with the Boston Symphony Orchestra! Join them for a participatory sing, Dec 8. With the Handel & Hayden Chorus. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue. Boston, MA. 617-266-3605. 3pm.

December 8 is also a free "Birthday Open House" at the Emily Dickinson Museum. 280 Main Street, Amherst, MA. 413-542-8161. Free. While you're out there, check out the Bright Nights in Springfield, see below. http://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org

There's no way to escape the shopping. Hop on and go for the ride. For example, the MassArt Annual Holiday Sale is Dec 3-8. Student art is generally inexpensive. Tower Building Lobby, 621 Huntington Ave Boston, MA. 617-879-7710. 10am-7pm. http://www.massart.edu/camain.html

The Museum of Fine Arts December Sale is Dec 5-9. 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA. http://www.smfa.edu/Calendar/Events/ExhibitionsPublicProgramsCalendar/20071239108.asp?dateSect=2007/12/5-0

Trying to compete with the above, the MIT Student Art Association Holiday Sale is Dec 10-11. MIT Lobby 10, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. 617-253-7019. 10-5pm

And my favorite of the year, the Fort Point Open Studios, Dec 7-9. You get to walk around Boston's favorite art community and interact with the actual artists who've created the works. http://www.fortpointarts.org

I would skip the SoWa Holiday Market, Dec 8-Dec 9. I went once and it had a lot of merchants (not artists) packed into an uninteresting gymnasium. Catholic High School Gymnasium, Union Park St, Boston, MA. 617-481-2257. And they charge $5 admission. It's like paying a fee to visit the mall. Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm. In all fairness, I did enjoy their outdoor summer SoWa market. http://www.sowaholidaymarket.com

Much better to try the Bazaar Bizarre, an edgy crafts fair, Dec 9 at the Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA. 12-6pm. http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/boston.html

I have tried and failed to find crazy fantastic non-Christian events this winter solstice season. However, here's one. It's the Everyone Loves Latkes Party, with Storytelling and Klezmer Music. Dec 8. Winthrop Park, Cambridge, MA. I just like the word "latke". Latke! 3-5pm. http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Articles/Sparklefest-2007.aspx

Evanescence performs Dec 5-8 in Manchester, NH, http://www.ticketmaster.com

And they're actuall having a rodeo in Worcester, called Professional Bull Riders, Dec 6. http://www.paymeyourfeesmaster.com

Are you guys getting tired yet of me listing the Watson Adventures scavenger hunts? This one's called Murder at the MFA, it's Dec 8. http://www.watsonadventures.com

Speaking of the MFA, it's time for the "First Friday" events again. Enjoy cocktails and mingling with sophisticated artistes and the people who want to be them. Or get with them. http://www.mfa.org/calendar/sub.asp?key=12&subkey=73

The Boston Center For the Arts Studio Artists has a first fridays too. Pleae don't make me hurt you by your asking me what date it's being held on. It's Friday, December 7. http://www.bcaonline.org/may2007/firstfridaysatthebca.php

If you've seen one tree lighting, you've seen them all. But they sometimes come with extras like visits from Santa or free hot chocolate. Here are some more:

-- Concord Holiday Tree Lighting, Dec 6. Santa arrives by Fire Engine. I guess the flying reindeer are on strike. Strolling carollers, hot chocolate. They have real money in Concord, I bet it'll be a good one. http://www.concordchamberofcommerce.org/calendar.htm

-- USS Constitution Tree Decorating, Dec 7 and Dec 9. The Website doesn't say much, I had to call to confirm that it's happening. It is. http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/Announcements.htm

-- The Edgartown Holiday Parade is actually on Martha's Vinyard. Dec 8. This one's quite impressive. It's not just like Santa shows up and leaves 90 minutes later. They have tons of events all throughout the day! Holiday parade, gingerbread workshop, arts & crafts show, santa, wreath making workshop, music, tree lighting, and the Annual Great Chowder Contest and Annual Cookie Tasting Contest. http://edgartownboardoftrade.com/php/activities.php

-- The Methuen tree lighting got postponed to December 7. See how I'm keeping on top of the pulse of stupid holiday events, just for you? http://www.cityofmethuen.net/index.php?option=comwrapper&Itemid=116

Holiday Lights Summary:

-- Carver, MA. Edaville Railroad, to Jan 1. My favorite! http://www.edaville.com

-- Springfield, MA. Bright Night at Forest Park. Nov 21-Jan 1. Rt 83, . 413-733-3800. 550,000 lights. My 2nd favorite. Check out Springfield Museums or zoo at same time. Daily. And check out the holiday lights at Dunn & Phillips, 185 Belmont Ave., Springfield. http://www.brightnights.org

-- Attleboro, MA. La Salette Shrine Festival of Lights, Nov 22 - Jan 1, 947 Park Street. 508-222-5410. Daily. Very religious, it's a shrine. 250,000 lights. http://www.lasalette-shrine.org

-- Stoneham, MA. Stone Zoo's Zoolights, Nov 22 - Dec 30. 49 Pond Street. 617-989-2000. Convenient to Boston, but the animals are mainly sleeping in their holes and the park is not spectacularly lit. http://www.stonezoo.org

-- Campton, NH. White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park, Nov 22 - Dec 30, Branch Brook Campground. 603-726-7001. Exit 28 off I-93. Fri-Sun, 4:30- 8:30pm. http://www.holidaymagiclightpark.com

-- Sandwich, MA. Heritage Museum Spectacle of Lights, Nov 23 - Dec 31, 67 Grove Street. 508-888-3300. 1 million lights. http://www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/2007spectacleof_lights

-- Millis, MA. The Millis Wonderland, at 60 Causeway Street. Daily, 6-10pm, to Dec 31. http://www.milliswonderland.com/

-- Holiday Landscapes, runs Nov 22-Dec 31, 5-10pm except when raining. 83 Franklin St, Stoneham, MA. What's great is that these people also do it for Valentine's Day and every other holiday. http://holidaylandscapes.com

Are you crazy about dogs? These pedigreed beasts won't sniff your crotch. Attend the Bay Colony Cluster Dog Show, Dec 6-9, at Ye Olde Bay Side Expo Center, Boston, MA. http://www.baycolonydogshow.com

Are you crazy about symphony orchestras? But have no cash? The Quincy Symphony Orchestra is holding a Free Holiday Concert, Dec 11, in a high school at 7:30pm. Quincy, MA. http://www.discoverquincy.com/calendar.htm

I mentioned earlier that they have ice skating on Boston Common, http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org

Well, now they're having a free skate day for the opening of the rink at the Charles Hotel. You know, in Harvard Square in Cambridge at 0 Brattle Street. Dec 9. Free skating, 12-8pm. Performance by skating pros. Santa visits. But will he skate? http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/News/Sparklefest-Holiday-Events-Announced.aspx

Continuing events:

-- The Mystery of Edwin Drood, to Dec 15, http://www.speakeasystage.com/

-- Napoleon exhibit at the MFA, thru Jan 27. http://www.mfa.org

-- Mayor's Holiday Special, to Jan 1, http://www.artsboston.org/mhs/

-- Cultural Survival Bazaar, Dec 8-9 in Boston. http://www.cs.org

-- Attend the Gingerbread House Workshops at Verrill Farm, to Dec 9, http://www.verrillfarm.com

-- Faneuil Hall bellringers on Saturdays to Dec 22. 12pm-3pm.

-- The Nutcracker, to Dec 29, http://www.bostonballet.org

My big reviews on skiing sites is at http://activityinfo.com/johnnys-activities.xls and click on the "Skiing" tab at the bottom. My basic theme here is that I wanted places that were for fun skiing, not let's try to kill ourselves skiing.

I often get stuff later in the week. For last minute updates on this blog, see http://make-you-laugh.livejournal.com

-Johnny